rhea hickok photographyhttp://www.rheahickok.com
Mon, 09 Jun 2014 02:04:19 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.4.11kelli + chris {wedding}http://www.rheahickok.com/kelli-chris-wedding/
http://www.rheahickok.com/kelli-chris-wedding/#commentsMon, 09 Jun 2014 02:04:19 +0000http://www.rheahickok.com/?p=2606I have been looking so forward to Kelli and Chris’ wedding day ever since I shot their engagement photos last fall (which I just realized I never blogged-ah!) Getting a couple to feel comfortable in front of the camera can be challenging at times, but every time Kelli and Chris have been in front of my lens it’s a dream come true. These two share such a sweet connection and have no problem falling into a comfortable love no matter who is watching. Every time you see that gorgeous ear to ear smile on Kelli? I’m pretty sure Chris was around

I’ve said this before and these photos prove it. You guys are way cooler than me.

Everyone wants to go back to their wedding day and exit like this, am I right?!

And I’ll end with this one, because what could possibly top your identical twinner catching your bouquet on your wedding day?!

]]>http://www.rheahickok.com/kelli-chris-wedding/feed/484perri {senior portraits}http://www.rheahickok.com/perri-senior-portraits/
http://www.rheahickok.com/perri-senior-portraits/#commentsThu, 29 May 2014 02:11:24 +0000http://www.rheahickok.com/?p=2591My baby sister is graduating from high school and I was so glad she asked me to take portraits of her when they were in Louisville last fall. To say this snuck up on me is putting it lightly. I carried this kid on my hip until she was six. She took her first steps to me. I remember her mis-pronunciation of “magazine” and her choreographed High School Musical dances like they were happening just yesterday. She is driven and kind and patient and someone please go hold my mom in the fetal position because the last of her girls is spreading her wings. I love you Per, and I can’t wait to see what you do with your one wild and precious life.

]]>http://www.rheahickok.com/perri-senior-portraits/feed/334jennifer + wesley {wedding}http://www.rheahickok.com/jennifer-wesley-wedding/
http://www.rheahickok.com/jennifer-wesley-wedding/#commentsThu, 06 Feb 2014 02:50:26 +0000http://www.rheahickok.com/?p=2548I was so excited in the time leading up to Jennifer and Wesley’s wedding day at Churchill Downs. I could tell they were such a sweet and fun couple from the start of our conversations, and is there anything more beautiful than a wedding under the spires? Actually there is – a wedding between two incredibly funny and well paired people under snowy, glistening spires. I’m so glad I was able to capture these moments between your their knit crew of family and friends. Truly one of my favorite parts of every wedding is getting to know all of the people who make the bride and groom who they are. Their support net. And this one didn’t disappoint. Enjoy!

These two were such troopers for their first look photos-the wind could have tipped me over on that patio!

Good times were had by all in the horse stables…doesn’t Jennifer have the best laughing face ever?! Contagious joy.

Fun coincidence – Jennifer’s maiden name is spelled like my first name and is one of the reasons she initially contacted me. Now if I can just convince her she has been pronouncing hers wrong all along

]]>http://www.rheahickok.com/jennifer-wesley-wedding/feed/245the smallwoods {family portraits}http://www.rheahickok.com/the-smallwoods-family-portraits/
http://www.rheahickok.com/the-smallwoods-family-portraits/#commentsFri, 24 Jan 2014 21:32:04 +0000http://www.rheahickok.com/?p=2522Oh, this family. These beautiful faces hold a high honor in the history of my little business. Rewind back to a couple of years ago, when I had been offering free sessions to friends to learn more more more about photography, but didn’t have much of a way to reach out to those outside of my circle. A sweet mutual friend realized this family needed Christmas card photos done…and quick. Being the ultra professional that I was (Did I sell you on that? Because I showed up with no memory cards. None.), I showed up bright and early on a snowy Saturday morning in December to meet them at their house for photos with no idea what to expect. As things tend to do when you have a small child, they were running a bit behind, so naturally they answered the door in their pjs, asked me to come on in and make myself at home and “Oh, could you feed our 11 month old while we finish getting ready?” It was the most perfectly comfortable beginning to a perfectly comfortable friendship that I’m so glad is still part of my life. Fast forward a few years, another little person in the family, and so many coffee dates and laughs with this incredible mommy later, and you have my very first family photo clients on a perfect fall evening. Enjoy!

]]>http://www.rheahickok.com/the-smallwoods-family-portraits/feed/291natalie + brad {wedding}http://www.rheahickok.com/natalie-brad-wedding/
http://www.rheahickok.com/natalie-brad-wedding/#commentsFri, 17 Jan 2014 13:00:40 +0000http://www.rheahickok.com/?p=2482Every encounter with these two feels like a breath of fresh air, and their wedding day was no different. When we originally met for coffee to discuss their engagement and wedding photos, I felt like their love for life and the person they were living it with was so tangible that I could taste it. They were training for a half marathon together, totally into movie marathons, and I’m pretty sure Natalie laughed at everything Brad said at the meeting. Adorable. I knew after their engagement session that photographing a day based solely around their love and compatibility wasn’t going to be a challenge because of how clearly they wear it on their sleeve. Every moment between them, every encounter with their families was their way of showing the world that love. The world is so lucky to have these two in it. Together.

I love this one. Natalie has the best smile!

Natalie and Brad are really into movies, so they held their reception at the most beautiful old theatre and themed everything up. Such a cute idea!

]]>http://www.rheahickok.com/natalie-brad-wedding/feed/373brooke + evan {wedding}http://www.rheahickok.com/brooke-evan-wedding/
http://www.rheahickok.com/brooke-evan-wedding/#commentsThu, 16 Jan 2014 12:56:35 +0000http://www.rheahickok.com/?p=2446Brooke and Evan are just. plain. fun. And by plain I mean gorgeous and sparkly and dolled up to the nines-it will only take one photo of Brooke below to show you what I mean. I love the easy and fun way these two laugh and interact with not just each other but everyone that came to celebrate with them on their wedding day. Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Potter-I’m so glad I was able to document your day!

]]>http://www.rheahickok.com/brooke-evan-wedding/feed/440danielle + bradford {wedding}http://www.rheahickok.com/danielle-bradford-wedding/
http://www.rheahickok.com/danielle-bradford-wedding/#commentsFri, 27 Sep 2013 18:54:35 +0000http://www.rheahickok.com/?p=2366I knew from the first phone call about Danielle and Brad’s wedding that it was going to be an incredible day. I expected Pinterest-worthy minimized decor and a stunning dress. I expected a grand venue with sweeping views of the vineyards. I even expected great taste in live music entertainment. But what I did not and could not have expected was the way that day felt. I did not expect friends who traveled from all over the world (!) to be with them. The genuine care that was given to everyone who was a part of their day. The most moving and well thought out ceremony words that I have ever heard. The calm and assured way they entered into a commitment to use the best parts of themselves to lift one another up. And let’s be real, I did not expect the mad dance moves that this whole crowd had to offer.

Danielle and Brad are kind of like these photos to me. I want to hold them up and show them to everyone while yelling “Look! Aren’t these awesome?!” Go move mountains, you two.

]]>http://www.rheahickok.com/danielle-bradford-wedding/feed/355liz + justin {wedding}http://www.rheahickok.com/liz-justin-wedding/
http://www.rheahickok.com/liz-justin-wedding/#commentsThu, 19 Sep 2013 23:54:51 +0000http://www.rheahickok.com/?p=2326Laughter rang through the hotel suite as oldie-but-goodie stories were told on Liz while she laughed along from her chair in front of a couch full of friends. She poured pink champagne with a steady hand and answered every “You look so calm” comment with a sweet smile. Even in the midst of a day where so many details she had planned for months were coming together, Liz remained sweet and calm, pleasant and welcoming to everyone around her. She knew that even if the whole plan for the day fell apart, at the end of the day she would still be married to her best friend. And isn’t that always the point?

Liz and Justin chose to see each other before the ceremony during a first look, which allowed them a few extra moments to exchange gifts and soak in the evening.

Locust Grove is one of my favorite places to shoot in Louisville, and boy did it deliver during Liz and Justin’s big day. That porch. That evening light. That couple.

Love the extra touch that the groomsmen had going on!

Liz and Justin, I hope these pictures take you back to the beautiful calm that came over your wedding day and gives you just a few more moments to soak it in!

]]>http://www.rheahickok.com/liz-justin-wedding/feed/367Danielle + Bradford {Engagement}http://www.rheahickok.com/danielle-bradford-engagement/
http://www.rheahickok.com/danielle-bradford-engagement/#commentsMon, 10 Jun 2013 21:57:55 +0000http://www.rheahickok.com/?p=2297On paper, they’re just kind of perfect. A doctor. A lawyer-to-be. Sort of high school sweethearts. And in person, guess what? They really are just kind of perfect. But in the kind-hearted, funny, you want to be their friend because they have a blast together sort of way. I have to say that marrying into a family of people that you would want to hang out with even if you weren’t related is pretty wonderful. And that’s just what I did. Enter Danielle and Brad. Our “Cousinfriends” if you will. For three days they fed us the best Chicago deep dish, chased our toddler through museums, showed us the prettiest spots for nighttime city lights, and were just plain fun to be around. And now I miss them and want to go back. Can’t wait for the wedding in September you two!

]]>http://www.rheahickok.com/danielle-bradford-engagement/feed/257Natalie + Brad {Engagement}http://www.rheahickok.com/natalie-brad-engagement/
http://www.rheahickok.com/natalie-brad-engagement/#commentsTue, 23 Apr 2013 13:45:16 +0000http://www.rheahickok.com/?p=2274I had so much fun with these two and their engagement session. Being in front of a camera is hard. And even harder when you know the photos are going to be saved for generations to come. Because of this, I usually have to do a little coaching to get people (ahem, guys, ahem) comfortable at a shoot, but these two were complete rockstars with very minimal instruction. It didn’t take me long to figure out that I couldn’t put my camera down for a second or I would miss a sweet look, a naturally placed hand on an arm, or the happy laughter that never stopped between them during the session. These two are totally and completely comfortable with one another in the best possible way. Natalie and Brad, thank you so much for letting me document a morning of regular love between you two, being game enough to pose on a duck taped car bench in a sketchy neighborhood, and for just being plain fun to talk to. I walked away from the session smiling just thinking about the November wedding. Enjoy!

We started out on the new walking bridge in downtown Louisville and had to document the hilariously divided house they represent with their UK and U of L shirts. One thing in common? National Champs, baby.

Natalie, I love your laugh. My favorite part? Knowing it was real.

Totally took this on a 5 foot stretch of brick wall between an idling semi truck and a dumpster with a full audience of hotel employees on their break. I love me a good adventure, especially during a photo session!